Finding Inner Peace

It's come to my attention that a great deal of us who suffer from anxiety tend to do is bring our fear for the world we live in, inside our heads. We don't feel safe in our own minds. Wouldn't it be great if we could change that and start to feel a sense of safety in our own thoughts without the need for any external stimuli such as the TV, or our phones, or anything else?

I've recently followed an 8 week mindfulness meditation course and to be honnest I struggled alot with the whole "empty your mind, focus on the present moment" thing. And I realise now that the reason is that I overthink way too much. In fact overthinking on it's own is enough to cause anxiety, but the ability to recognise that we do it in the first place is half way the journey completed to gaining a better control over our thoughts and turning our inner world into a more safe, peaceful and comfortable place. I've even found myself overthinking that I was overthinking once I realised it was something I was doing.

So how can we create our own safe place in our minds? How can we sit with our eyes closed and feel safe, peaceful and comfortable in our own thoughts? I think part of the secret lies in being mindful of the things around us and actively working to elimitate those intrusive thoughts that cause overthinking and ultimately lead to anxiety. It is a challenge but I think it is a matter of reprograming our brains to be wired differently and like with anything new, is a question of practice.

Start practicing that today, listen to the sounds around you, smell the smells, activate all your senses and when you feel your mind wondering, recognise that and actively make the decision to refocus your attention on those peaceful things in your surroundings that make your mind a safer place.

Your thoughts will affect the way you feel. It can be hard to control our emotions or anxiety but our thoughts are within our control. If we can channel our thoughts so as to create a safe place in our minds, than we will find more inner peace.

What are some of the things in your mind right now that bring you a sense of peace, safety and comfort? It can be anything from the thought of a friend, a memory, the distant sound of chirping birds. Basically anything you can't immediately see but have to visualise in your head.

I look forward to reading some of your answers :)

PS:Have a look at the section of the forum on mindfulness if you think it's something you may be interrested to learn more about! :)